Boxing: Team GB's Andrew Selby defeated by Robeisy Ramirez Carranza in flyweight division

August 7, 2012: European champion Andrew Selby failed in his bid to guarantee Great Britain's fifth boxing medal as he was well beaten 16-11 by Cuba's classy Robeisy Ramirez Carranza in their flyweight quarter-final tonight (GETTY IMAGES)

European champion Andrew Selby failed in his bid to guarantee Great Britain's fifth boxing medal as he was well beaten 16-11 by Cuba's classy Robeisy Ramirez Carranza in their flyweight quarter-final tonight.

As expected, the action was fast and furious from the outset, with Selby beginning with a sharp flurry as the Cuban backed up behind a tight guard and sought to land crisp counters.

Much of Selby's early work was soaked up his opponent's arms and a late assault by Carranza, in which he landed a left and right in quick succession, was enough for him to shade the opening round 5-4.

Selby was faster on the draw again in the second, with the Cuban, the reigning Pan-American Games champion, preferring a more patient approach.

It was a dangerous tactic by Cuban, as Selby scored with a neat right hook, but he was clearly intent on drawing Selby out of his usual counter-attacking comfort zone.

When he got the chance he pounced, jolting Selby's head with a big right hand against the ropes, and a follow-up flurry which once again caught the eye of the judges, who gave him a rather exaggerated 12-7 advantage.

Faced with an almost helpless cause, Selby continued to push forward but his opponent was too classy a customer to let such a big lead slip, and played out time to earn his deserved place in the last four.

There was better news for Fred Evans, who came through his bout against Custio Clayton of Canada, winning on a countback after they drew 14-14.

PA